KEPCO to convert 375 MW Power Plant to use Biomass in a JV with Mitsubishi

Japan’s Kansai Electric Power Co. (KEPCO) has announced a joint venture with Mitsubishi Corp. Power Systems – a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corp. The JV named – Aioi Bioenergy Corp will be responsible for converting KEPCO’s Unit 2 – a 375-MW Aioi Power Station in Hyogo Prefecture from its current heavy oil or crude oil sources to woody biomass. The Aioi Power Plant comprises three units each of 375MW.

Unit 2 of the plant was commissioned in 1982. After the conversion to woody biomass feedstock, the plant will have a capacity of 200 MW.

With an initial capital of 450 million yen ($4 million), the joint venture is expected to promote and develop biomass power generation business in Japan.

MCP has spent 40% of the capital sum in the project with the remaining invested by KEPCO. MCP already has other renewable energy projects in Japan – with 73 MW of power generated from solar projects, and is developing and constructing wind and geothermal power generation projects across the country.

These projects are expected to help Japan cut carbon dioxide emissions – as they will use naturally derived fuel.

More on Japan’s biomass power projects are discussed at 8th Biomass Pellets Trade & Power on 15-18 May, 2017 in Tokyo.

For more information about the conference, contact Ms. Hafizah Adam at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sgor call (65) 6346 9218.